Russellville schools work with language learnersAbout 20 percent of the students in the Russellville School District speak English as a second language, and about 10 percent of those students were born in the United States, according to information from the district. While communication can be difficult, “you’d be amazed at what you can communicate with gestures, pictures and other non-verbal communication,” said Gina Mann, ESL coordinator for the district. Students’ first languages include...

District hires Loyd to lead Two RiversFollowing a six-hour Saturday meeting, the Two Rivers School Board hired Jim Loyd of Paris as superintendent. Loyd will take the post on July 1, the first day of the school’s fiscal year. The board’s executive session dominated the meeting in which several candidates were interviewed. Loyd said he is excited about his new position and is ready to “get over there and listen to the people,” adding that he tries to base every decision on what’s b...

Boards decide on personnel, update policies for schoolsClarksville School Board The Clarksville School Board voted recently to use the state School Board Association’s model policy for its social networking policy concerning teachers and students. The Arkansas School Board Association model policy suggests districts ban teacher-student friendships on social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. The board also approved a proposed stipend schedule and policies for employees regarding sexua...

Tech suspends fraternity as school, police probe hazingAn Arkansas Tech University student remains in serious condition in a Little Rock hospital after sustaining injuries in an alleged fraternity hazing incident last week. The fraternity has been suspended by the university pending the outcome of an investigation by Arkansas State Police and the school's Office of Public Safety. According to a statement released by Tech officials Monday, authorities are investigating to determine if the student, ...

RHS hosts prom night scenarioSeniors at Russellville High School listened to sirens and screams Thursday morning as 18-year-old Chandler Birmingham’s mother arrived at the scene of a fatal accident where her daughter lay through the windshield of a Saturn automobile. Of course, this was part of a re-enactment of a fatal prom night scenario the school has hosted for the past 20 years to warn students of two of the most common causes of teenage accidents — drunk driving and...

Tech, RSD growing own future leadersThe Russellville School District has found a way to address a shortage in educational leaders — it will grow its own. Through a partnership with Arkansas Tech University, the district has placed 18 teachers into a rare program to help them grow into leaders. “We’re offering a broad perspective of leadership,” said Dr. Mary Gunter, dean of the Tech graduate college and professor of educational leadership. “It is a unique experience.” Through th...

Tech raises tuition, feesArkansas Tech University’s Board of Trustees agreed to an increase of 3.9 percent in tuition for the upcoming fiscal year and accepted the retirements of long-serving faculty members at its meeting Thursday. The increase means additional funding of $3,069,704, with some of the funds benefiting professional salaries, classified salaries, benefits, student health services, an increase in health insurance and other student services. The change re...

Ussery hired as RHS principalThe Russellville School Board approved the hiring of Russellville Middle School Principal Sammy Ussery as high school principal at Tuesday night’s school board meeting. Assistant Superintendent Alene Bynum said the administration and board are excited to bring Ussery into the position. “He will bring a lot of energy and ideas,” she said. “He has already been working with staff and students and parents. He is very qualified for this position.” ...

Atkins board reviews auditThe Atkins School Board discussed the district’s audit, the continued construction of a safe room and the retirement of staff at a recent meeting. Superintendent Boyce Watkins said the board received a material finding in the audit for failing to amend line items to bring them back within the 10 percent limit. He said the district had the option in June to rearrange funds in the special education category to bring them in line, but failed to f...

Dardanelle board studies alternatives to building plansDARDANELLE — Dardanelle School Board members met with architect Steve Elliott and construction consultant Paul Hull last Thursday night to discuss a surprising increase in cost to a proposed primary school on Liberty Road. Board members learned during a recent meeting that the project, estimated to cost about $12 million, was projected to bid at about $13.5 million, with needed dirt work and undercutting to the site. The property, purchased in...

The Courier accepting submissions for graduate saluteThe Courier is now accepting submissions for its annual salute to area graduates. The section will include pictures of graduates from Arkansas River Valley high schools. For $24 per entry, congratulate your grad with "then and now" photos and a personal message. The annual graduate salute makes a special keepsake for grads, family and friends. Submissions may be emailed to class1@couriernews.com. Attach a baby picture and a recent or class pho...

Benchmark test conducted this weekLocal Arkansas River Valley schools are fully enmeshed in one of the most important weeks of the school year — Benchmark week. Officials said that third- through eighth-grade students will be tested every morning this week, with the exception of Friday for some grades, at area schools in Russellville and Dardanelle. “This is ultimately a measure of students’ success and the success of the schools and communities,” said Sam Ussery, Russellville...

Leader of the classWesley White said he is ending his career on a high note. “I have 40 years in and at this point, everything has been positive.” the retiring high school principal said. “I have an outstanding class of 2012 and I want to go out with a good group.” He also cites the completion of The Center for the Arts and his health as reasons for his retirement. “I really must start taking better care of myself,” he admitted. “That’s going to require more exe...

Students, teachers raising funds for scholarshipRussellville High School teachers Paul Gray, Neal Plummer and members of the Peace Club are looking to endow a scholarship in the name of Savannah Kaitlyn Hintze, an 18-year-old RHS senior who died last year, one month shy of graduation. “She was known for her smile,” Gray said. “She was very open, very accepting and inclusive.” Hintze perished in a vehicle accident on April 25, 2011, on her way home from school. Her brother Logan, 6, who was ...

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Lori Kamerling and Cindi NoblesThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Tufis to attend prestigious campRussellville High School senior Paul Tufis is getting an opportunity that only 99 other students across the nation will get. Tufis was chosen by the governor to attend the National Youth Science Foundation Camp in Charleston, W.Va., this summer. First chosen as an alternate, his chance to attend the camp came after a delegate from Arkansas was unable to attend. “I was first alternate,” he said. “I am very excited to attend this camp.” Accordin...

Russellville's minority population growth warrants school district zoningThe Pope County Election Commission approved new zoning lines for the Russellville School District, splitting the district into five zones for the upcoming September election. As of the Sept. 18 school board election, the board will be split between five members representing one of the newly-established zones, and two at-large members. In previous years, all positions on the Russellville school board were at-large. “We’ll have five board membe...

Russellville school board calls special meeting ThursdayThe Russellville School Board will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday in the board room at the school district’s administration building to consider a student discipline matter. The Building and Grounds Committee is scheduled to meet at 11 a.m. Friday, April 13, in the board room to review proposed 2012 summer projects. The meetings are open to the public.

Superintendent terminatedThe Two Rivers school board voted Monday night to terminate the employment of Superintendent Sherry Holliman and to close Plainview-Rover Elementary School. Following a 20-minute executive session, the board voted unanimously to terminate Holliman’s employment effective immediately, and for her to return a school-issued vehicle by 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. The board also voted to retain William Clay Brazil of Conway as the school district’s attorney ...

Board seeks bond re-financeThe Clarksville School District is looking to save hundreds of thousands of dollars by re-financing existing bonds. Superintendent David Hopkins said the district could save nearly $450,000 through re-financing the bonds at a better interest rate. During a school board meeting Thursday, the board approved a resolution to apply to the state Board of Education to re-finance the debt service bonds issued March 1, 2007. Hopkins explained that the ...

Hector board reassigns coachHector School Superintendent Walt Davis said the search is on for a new head football coach. During a special meeting Thursday, the Hector School Board reassigned Coach Andy Cheney to assist high school and junior high football, and be head coach for girls track. Davis said that Cheney had indicated his willingness to accept the change by signing a contract for the next year with those assignments. The board’s vote was unanimous. Board members...